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Abstract:

A method for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction includes
storing a plurality of coupon rules, each coupon rule associated with a
consumer and a merchant and including an amount modifier and funding
account number; receiving an authorization request for a financial
transaction, the authorization request including a consumer identifier, a
merchant identifier, and a transaction amount; identifying, at least one
coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules where the associated
consumer corresponds to the consumer identifier and the associated
merchant corresponds to the merchant identifier; modifying the financial
transaction based on the at least one coupon rule by modifying the
transaction amount based on the amount modifier; and transmitting a reply
to the authorization request, the reply to the authorization request
including at least the modified transaction amount.

Claims:

1. A method for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction,
comprising: storing, in a database, a plurality of coupon rules, wherein
each coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules is associated with a
consumer and a merchant and includes at least an amount modifier and a
funding account number; receiving, by a receiving device, an
authorization request for a financial transaction, wherein the
authorization request includes at least a consumer identifier, a merchant
identifier, and a transaction amount; identifying, in the database, at
least one coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules where the
associated consumer corresponds to the consumer identifier and the
associated merchant corresponds to the merchant identifier; modifying the
financial transaction based on the at least one coupon rule wherein
modifying the financial transaction includes at least modifying the
transaction amount based on the amount modifier; and transmitting, by a
transmitting device, a reply to the authorization request, the reply to
the authorization request including at least the modified transaction
amount.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying the financial
transaction further comprises splitting the financial transaction into a
first financial transaction including a first charge amount and a second
financial transaction including a second charge amount, wherein one of
the first charge amount and second charge amount is the modified
transaction amount.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each coupon rule of the plurality of
funding rules further includes a product identification number, the
authorization request further includes at least one product identifier,
and the identifying step further includes identifying the at least one
coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules where the included product
identification number corresponds to the at least one product identifier.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the product identification number is at
least one of a universal product code, manufacturer part number, or
European article number.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount modifier is a number or a
percentage.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the authorization request is formatted
under the International Organization for Standardization ISO 8583
standard.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the funding account number corresponds
to a financial account associated with the merchant.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the funding account number corresponds
to the financial account associated with the consumer.

9. A method for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction,
comprising: storing, in a database, a plurality of coupon rules, wherein
each coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules is associated with a
consumer and a merchant and includes at least an amount modifier and a
funding account number; receiving, by a receiving device, an
authorization request for a financial transaction, wherein the
authorization request includes at least a consumer identifier, a merchant
identifier, and a transaction amount; identifying, in the database, at
least one coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules where the
associated consumer corresponds to the consumer identifier and the
associated merchant corresponds to the merchant identifier; transmitting,
by a transmitting device, a reply to the authorization request, the reply
to the authorization request including at least the modified transaction
amount; and issuing a credit to an account associated with the associated
consumer based on the at least one coupon rule wherein the credit is for
a credit amount based at least on the amount modifier.

10. A system for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction,
comprising: a database configured to store a plurality coupon rules,
wherein each coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules is associated
with a consumer and a merchant and includes at least an amount modifier
and a funding account number; a receiving device configured to receive an
authorization request for a financial transaction, wherein the
authorization request includes at least a consumer identifier, a merchant
identifier, and a transaction amount; a processing device configured to
identify, in the database, at least one coupon rule of the plurality of
coupon rules where the associated consumer corresponds to the consumer
identifier and the associated merchant corresponds to the merchant
identifier, and modify the financial transaction based on the at least
one coupon rule wherein modifying the financial transaction includes at
least modifying the transaction amount based on the amount modifier; and
a transmitting device configured to transmit a reply to the authorization
request, the reply to the authorization request including at least the
modified transaction amount.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the step of modifying the financial
transaction further comprises splitting the financial transaction into a
first financial transaction including a first charge amount and a second
financial transaction including a second charge amount, wherein one of
the first charge amount and second charge amount is the modified
transaction amount.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein each coupon rule of the plurality of
coupon rules further includes a product identification number, the
authorization request further includes at least one product identifier,
and identifying the at least one coupon rule of the plurality of coupon
rules further includes the included product identification number
corresponding to the at least one product identifier.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the product identification number is
at least one of a universal product code, manufacturer part number, or
European article number.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the amount modifier is a number or a
percentage.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the authorization request is
formatted under the International Organization for Standardization ISO
8583 standard.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the funding account number
corresponds to a financial account associated with the merchant.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the funding account number
corresponds to the financial account associated with the consumer.

18. A system for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction,
comprising: a database configured to store a plurality coupon rules,
wherein each coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules is associated
with a consumer and a merchant and includes at least an amount modifier
and a funding account number; a receiving device configured to receive an
authorization request for a financial transaction, wherein the
authorization request includes at least a consumer identifier, a merchant
identifier, and a transaction amount; a processing device configured to
identify, in the database, at least one coupon rule of the plurality of
coupon rules where the associated consumer corresponds to the consumer
identifier and the associated merchant corresponds to the merchant
identifier, and issue a credit to an account associated with the
associated consumer based on the at least one coupon rule wherein the
credit is for a credit amount based on at least the amount modifier; and
a transmitting device configured to transmit a reply to the authorization
request, the reply to the authorization request including at least the
modified transaction amount.

Description:

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to applying coupon rules to a
financial transaction, specifically automatically applying coupon rules
to a transaction when an associated payment card is used to fund the
transaction.

BACKGROUND

[0002] For well over a century, consumers have used coupons to save on
consumer products and services. In more recent times, loyalty programs
and other reward platforms have also entered mainstream use, offering
alternative, or sometimes additional, incentives and discounts to
consumers. Most recently, the combination of the Internet, mobile
computing, and social network has seen the rise of purchasable coupon
deals where consumers can buy discounts and share offers with their
social circles.

[0003] However, as the available opportunities for consumers to save
increases, the number of coupons, loyalty cards, and reward programs that
consumers must keep track of to maximize value and enjoyment of couponing
also increases. A consumer may have a loyalty card for businesses in any
number of industries, such as for groceries, restaurants, retail stores,
airlines, etc. In many instances, a consumer might have a loyalty card
for multiple businesses in a single industry, such as a consumer having a
loyalty card for several local grocery stores and/or department stores.
This results in the consumer often needing to carry and keep track of a
multitude of cards, which requires significant organization and can be
inconvenient, particularly if expected to carry physical reward cards or
loyalty cards.

[0004] Consumers that use coupons often find themselves in the same
situation. A consumer may have any number of manufacturer-specific,
merchant-specific coupons, and/or product-specific coupons, each with
varying expiration dates. Keeping the coupons organized can become a
daunting task for many consumers, and can often discourage a consumer
from their use. Thus, there is a perceived opportunity to improve the
technology in delivery, storing, tracking and use of coupons and loyalty
programs in commerce, specifically to allow for merchants and consumers
alike to continue to use these services but without the difficulties of
existing systems.

SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides a description of systems and
methods for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction that
depending on implementation, can provide technical solutions to one or
more of the pre-existing problems with coupon, loyalty and/or rewards
programs.

[0006] A method for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction
includes storing, in a database, a plurality of coupon rules, wherein
each coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules is associated with a
consumer and a merchant and includes at least an amount modifier and a
funding account number, and receiving, by a receiving device, an
authorization request for a financial transaction, wherein the
authorization request includes at least a consumer identifier, a merchant
identifier, and a transaction amount. The method further includes
identifying, in the database, at least one coupon rule of the plurality
of coupon rules where the associated consumer corresponds to the consumer
identifier and the associated merchant corresponds to the merchant
identifier, and modifying the financial transaction based on the at least
one coupon rule wherein modifying the financial transaction includes at
least modifying the transaction amount based on the amount modifier. The
method also includes transmitting, by a transmitting device, a reply to
the authorization request, and the reply to the authorization request
including at least the modified transaction amount.

[0007] Another method for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction
includes storing, in a database, a plurality of coupon rules, wherein
each coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules is associated with a
consumer and a merchant and includes at least an amount modifier and a
funding account number, and receiving, by a receiving device, an
authorization request for a financial transaction, wherein the
authorization request includes at least a consumer identifier, a merchant
identifier, and a transaction amount. The method further includes
identifying, in the database, at least one coupon rule of the plurality
of coupon rules where the associated consumer corresponds to the consumer
identifier and the associated merchant corresponds to the merchant
identifier, and transmitting, by a transmitting device, a reply to the
authorization request, the reply to the authorization request including
at least the modified transaction amount. The method also includes
issuing a credit to an account associated with the associated consumer
based on the at least one coupon rule wherein the credit is for a credit
amount based at least on the amount modifier.

[0008] A system for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction
includes: a database, a receiving device, a processor, and a transmitting
device. The database is configured to store a plurality of coupon rules,
wherein each coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules is associated
with a consumer and a merchant and includes at least an amount modifier
and a funding account number. The receiving device is configured to
receive an authorization request for a financial transaction, the
authorization request including at least a consumer identifier, a
merchant identifier, and a transaction amount. The processor is
configured to: identify, in the database, at least one coupon rule of the
plurality of coupon rules where the associated consumer corresponds to
the consumer identifier and the associated merchant corresponds to the
merchant identifier; and modify the financial transaction based on the at
least one coupon rule wherein modifying the financial transaction
includes at least modifying the transaction amount based on the amount
modifier. The transmitting device is configured to transmit a reply to
the authorization request, the reply to the authorization request
including at least the modified transaction amount.

[0009] Another system for applying coupon rules to a financial transaction
includes: a database, a receiving device, a processor, and a transmitting
device. The database is configured to store a plurality of coupon rules,
wherein each coupon rule of the plurality of coupon rules is associated
with a consumer and a merchant and includes at least an amount modifier
and a funding account number. The receiving device is configured to
receive an authorization request for a financial transaction, the
authorization request including at least a consumer identifier, a
merchant identifier, and a transaction amount. The processor is
configured to: identify, in the database, at least one coupon rule of the
plurality of coupon rules where the associated consumer corresponds to
the consumer identifier and the associated merchant corresponds to the
merchant identifier; and issue a credit to an account associated with the
associated consumer based on the at least one coupon rule wherein the
credit is for a credit amount based on at least the amount modifier. The
transmitting device is configured to transmit a reply to the
authorization request, the reply to the authorization request including
at least the modified transaction amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0010] Exemplary embodiments are best understood from the following
detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. Included in the drawings are the following figures:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a financial transaction
processing system in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for applying coupon
rules to a financial transaction in accordance with exemplary
embodiments.

[0019] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It
should be understood that the detailed description of exemplary
embodiments are intended for illustration purposes only and are,
therefore, not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definition of Terms

[0020] Financial Transaction--An event that involves the exchange of money
or payment between two parties. For example, a consumer purchasing goods
or services from a merchant, a borrower borrowing money from a lender, a
consumer giving a bank money for deposit in a bank account, etc. As
described herein, a payment card transaction may include a financial
transaction where a payment card is used for payment.

[0021] Payment Card--A card associated with a payment account that can be
used for payment in a financial transaction (e.g., a payment card
transaction). The term "payment card" may encompass any physical or
virtual payment card or payment card number (e.g., an account number,
virtual card number, virtual payment number, etc.) associated with a
payment account that may be used. Traditional payment card types may
include a credit card, charge card, debit card, stored-value card, fleet
card, etc.

[0022] Issuer--An entity that issues a payment card to a consumer. Types
of entities that may be an issuer may include a financial institution,
such as a bank or credit union, a financial transaction processing
agency, a merchant, or any other organization or institution that may
issue a payment card to a consumer.

[0023] Acquirer--An entity that acts as an intermediary between merchants
and consumers. For example, an acquirer may process financial
transactions on behalf of the merchant, such as by communicating with the
consumer's issuer to secure funds for a payment card transaction. Types
of entities that may be an acquirer include entities discussed above that
may act as an issuer, such as a bank, but can be other types of entities
as well.

[0024] Financial Transaction Processing Agency--An entity that processes
financial transaction (e.g., payment card transactions), such as
MasterCard, VISA, American Express, etc. In many instances, a financial
transaction processing agency may act on behalf of, or may operate as, an
acquirer and/or an issuer. For example, a financial transaction
processing agency may issue a payment card to a consumer, and then
process a transaction using that payment card by paying the transaction
amount to a merchant and billing the consumer for the amount.

Financial Transaction Processing System

[0025]FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for processing a financial payment
card transaction. The system 100 may include a costumer 102 that may
initiate or otherwise engage in a financial transaction with a merchant
104. The customer 102 may be at a physical location of the merchant 104,
such as in a storefront, or may be conducting the transaction with the
merchant 104 remotely, such as through a website of the merchant 104.

[0026] The customer 102 may have a payment card issued by an issuer 108,
which may be used to pay for the financial transaction. The merchant 104
may provide details of the financial transaction to an acquirer 106.
Transaction details may include costumer information, merchant
information, transaction amount, date and time information, product or
service details, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the transaction details
include at least a consumer identifier associated with the customer 102
and a merchant identifier associated with the merchant 104.

[0027] The acquirer 106 may request authorization of the financial
transaction from a financial transaction processing agency 110. In one
embodiment, the acquirer 106 and the financial transaction processing
agency 110 may be a single entity and the merchant 104 may request the
authorization. The financial transaction processing agency 110 may apply
coupon rules to the financial transaction, as will be discussed in more
detail below. Alternatively or additionally, a separate entity, not
illustrated, can provide the coupon rules, as also explained below. After
application of the coupon rules, the financial transaction processing
agency 110 may process the transaction, such as by contacting the issuer
108 for approval or denial of the transaction and reporting the same to
the acquirer 106 or the merchant 104.

[0028] Once the transaction has been approved or denied, the merchant 104
can finalize the transaction with the customer 102. For example, if the
transaction has been approved, the merchant 104 can provide the
transacted--for goods or services to the customer 102 and receive payment
(e.g., from the issuer 108), and the customer 102 can be billed for the
transaction by the issuer 108.

Application of Coupon Rules to a Financial Transaction

[0029]FIG. 2 illustrates a system for the application of coupon rules to
a financial transaction, such as a financial transaction processing using
the system 100 of FIG. 1.

[0030] The customer 102 may register (e.g., sign up and establish account
details such as a password, completing a questionnaire about security
questions, interests and demographics, as well as other types of
activity) with the financial transaction processing agency 110 (FIG. 1),
such as registering via a financial transaction processing server 112,
which may be part of the financial transaction processing agency 110.
Communication between the customer 102 and the financial transaction
processing sever 112 may be via a network 122. The network 122 may be any
network suitable for performing the functions as disclosed herein and may
include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless
network (e.g., WiFi), a mobile communication network, a satellite
network, the Internet, fiber optic, coaxial cable, infrared, radio
frequency (RF), or any combination thereof. Further, the network 122 may
be coupled to, piggy-backed on or actually, in whole or in part, a
financial transaction network, such as MasterCard's BankNet with the
potential advantages of the pre-established security, connectivity, and
acceptance. Other suitable network types and configurations will be
apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

[0031] The financial transaction processing server 112 may store
information related to the customer 102 in an account database 114,
discussed in more detail below. In an exemplary embodiment, the financial
transaction processing server 112 may store a payment card number
corresponding to a payment card 120 (e.g., associated with the customer
102). The financial transaction processing server 112 may also include a
coupon rule database 116, also discussed in more detail below.

[0032] The customer 102 may engage in a financial transaction with the
merchant 104 and use the payment card 120 for payment for the
transaction. The merchant 104 may begin processing the financial
transaction using a merchant point-of-sale (POS) 118 (e.g., by reading
the payment card 120 for a physical transaction or capturing provided
details associated with the payment card 120 for a transaction conducted
through a network). The merchant 104 may (e.g., via the merchant POS 118)
transmit transaction details to the financial processing server 112. In
some embodiments, the transaction details may be transmitted via the
acquirer 106. Information included in the transaction details will be
apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art, and may include
merchant information, consumer information, payment card information,
transaction amount, etc. In one embodiment, the transaction details may
be transmitted in an authorization request. In a further embodiment, the
authorization request may be formatted under the International
Organization for Standardization ISO 8583 standard.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the transaction details may include at
least a consumer identifier (e.g., payment card number associated with
the payment card 120), a merchant identifier (e.g., a unique number
associated with the merchant 104), and a transaction amount. The
financial transaction processing server 112 may identify an account
associated with the payment card 120 and stored in an account database
114, such as by using the included consumer identifier. The financial
transaction processing server 112 may use information stored in the
account database 114 for processing the financial transaction.
Information included in the account database 114 will be apparent to
persons having skill in the relevant art and may include credit limits,
account balances, etc.

[0034] The financial transaction processing server 112 may also identify
at least one coupon rule in a coupon rule database 116, as discussed in
more detail below. The financial transaction processing server 112 may
apply the at least one coupon rule to the financial transaction to be
processed. The financial transaction processing server 112 may then
process the financial transaction, as described above. In some
embodiments, the financial transaction processing server 112 may notify
the customer 102 of any or all coupon rules applied to the financial
transaction (e.g., by email, short message service (SMS) message, phone
call, or other methods which may be previously selected by the customer
102).

Financial Transaction Processing Server

[0035]FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of the financial
transaction processing server 112. The financial transaction processing
server 112 may include the account database 114, the coupon rule database
116, a receiving unit 302, a transmitting unit 306, and a processor 304.
The coupon rules database 116 may be part of the financial transaction
processing agency, or a separate entity that receives at least part of
transaction information so that it can act to modify the transaction
accordingly, and report it to the appropriate parties (e.g.,
advertisement agencies, merchant or third parties). Each of the
components may be connected via a bus 308. Types and configurations of
the bus will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

[0036] The account database 112 and the coupon rule database 116 may
include data stored on any type of suitable computer readable media, such
as optical storage (e.g., a compact disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray
disc, etc.) or magnetic tape storage (e.g., a hard disk drive). The
account database 112 and the coupon rule database 116 may be configured
in any type of suitable database configuration, such as a relational
database, a structured query language (SQL) database, a distributed
database, an object database, etc. Suitable configurations and database
storage types will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant
art. Each of the product database 112 and the coupon rule database 116
may be a single database, or may comprise multiple databases which may be
interfaced together (e.g., physically or via a network, such as the
network 122). In one embodiment, the account database 112 and the coupon
rule database 116 may be a single database.

[0037] The account database 112 may include information on a plurality of
payment card accounts. Suitable types of information included in payment
card accounts will be apparent to persons having skill in the art. In an
exemplary embodiment, each account in the plurality of payment card
accounts may include at least a consumer identifier (e.g., a unique
identifier associated with the customer 102). In one embodiment, the
consumer identifier may be a payment card number corresponding to a
payment card (e.g., the payment card 120) associated with the customer
102. The coupon rule database 116 may include a plurality of coupon rule
data sets, discussed in more detail below. Each coupon rule in the coupon
rule database 116 may be associated with at least a consumer (e.g., the
customer 102), a merchant (e.g., the merchant 104), an amount modifier,
and a funding account number, discussed further below.

[0038] The receiving unit 302 may be configured to receive transaction
information (e.g., from the merchant 104 or the acquirer 106). In one
embodiment, the receiving unit 302 may be configured to receive
authorization requests formatted in the ISO 8583 standard. The receiving
unit 302 may also be configured to receive information from the customer
102 (e.g., via the network 122), such as authenticating information,
funding information, billing information, shipping information, and other
types of information as will be apparent to persons having skill in the
relevant art.

[0039] The processor 304 may be configured to process financial
transactions and apply coupon rules to the financial transactions.
Methods for applying a coupon rule to a financial transaction will be
discussed in more detail below. The processor 304 may be a single
processor or may be comprised of multiple processors. The processor 304
may also be comprised of one or more processor "cores." The processor 304
may also be configured to identify information and/or data stored in the
account database 114 and the coupon rule database 116.

[0040] The transmitting unit 306 may be configured to transmit a reply to
an authorization request (e.g., to the merchant 104 or the acquirer 306).
In one embodiment, the transmitting unit may be configured to transmit a
reply formatted in the ISO 8583 standard. The transmitting unit 306 may
also be configured to transmit information to the customer 102, such as
information related to coupon rules associated with the customer 102, as
discussed in more detail below.

Coupon Rules

[0041]FIG. 4 illustrates the coupon rule database 116. The coupon rule
database 116 may include a plurality of coupon rules 402. Each of the
coupon rules 402 may include at least a consumer identifier 404, at least
one merchant identifier 406, an amount modifier 410, and a funding
account 412. In some embodiments, each coupon rule 402 may also include
at least one product identifier 408. In one embodiment, each coupon rule
402 may also have a unique coupon identifier associated with the coupon
rule 402.

[0042] The consumer identifier 404 may be a unique identifier associated
with a consumer (e.g., the customer 102). Types of identifiers suitable
for use as the customer identifier 404 will be apparent to persons having
skill in the relevant art, such as a financial account number, a payment
card number, or other unique number associated with the customer 102. The
merchant identifier 406 may be a unique identifier associated with a
merchant (e.g., the merchant 406). For example, the merchant identifier
406 may be a financial account number, a merchant identification number,
or other suitable type of identifier as will be apparent to persons
having skill in the relevant art.

[0043] The amount modifier 410 may be an amount to be applied to a
financial transaction to modify the transaction amount. In some
embodiments, the amount modifier 410 may be a number, such as
representing a flat or percentage-based discount for a financial
transaction. For example, the coupon rule 402 may include an amount
modifier 410 of 5 dollars, and when applied to a financial transaction
will discount the transaction by 5 dollars. In another instance, the
coupon rule 402 may include an amount modifier 410 of 10 percent, and
will accordingly discount a transaction by 10 percent of its value. In
other embodiments, the amount modifier 410 may include a maximum
transaction limit, such as a coupon rule 402 where any purchase up to 50
dollars is free (e.g., as when using a $50 gift card).

[0044] The product identifier 408 may be a unique identifier corresponding
to a product (e.g., a good or service) available for purchase. Types of
product identifiers will be apparent to persons having skill in the
relevant art and may include a universal product code (UPC), a serial
number, a manufacturer part number (MPN), a European article number
(EAN), an international standard book number (ISBN), etc. In some
embodiments, if a coupon rule 402 includes a product identifier 408, the
amount modifier 410 may include a number of products (e.g., corresponding
to the product identifier 408) that may be purchased for free. In other
embodiments, the amount modifier 410 may include a number discount for a
financial transaction only if the product corresponding to the product
identifier 408 is purchased. In another embodiment, the coupon rule 402
may include multiple amount modifiers 410 such that an indicated number
of products corresponding to the product identifier 408 may be purchased
for an indicated price.

[0045] Other suitable uses and implementations of the amount modifier 410,
the product identifier 408, multiple amount modifiers 410, multiple
product identifiers 408, or any combination thereof, will be apparent to
persons having skill in the art. For example, amount modifiers 410 and
product identifiers 408 may be used to implement a coupon rule 402 for
stacking discounts (e.g., buy 2 and receive 5% off, buy 3 and receive 10%
off, buy 4 or more and receive 20% off, etc.), or for a buy one, get one
free deal. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant
art that the embodiments as provided herein are for illustration purposes
only.

[0046] The coupon rule 402 may also include a funding account 412
associated with the coupon rule 402. In some embodiments, the funding
account 412 may be a financial account associated with the consumer
(e.g., corresponding to the consumer identifier 404), a financial account
associated with the merchant (e.g., corresponding to the merchant
identifier 406), an account associated with the acquirer 106, with the
issuer 108, or any other suitable entity. The funding account 412 may be
used for charging a second financial transaction, as illustrated in FIGS.
5A and 5B, below, or for crediting an account during and/or subsequent to
a financial transaction, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, below.

[0047] In some embodiments, each coupon rule 402 may also include a
quantity associated with the coupon. For example, a coupon rule 402 may
be used by the customer 102 multiple times, with its quantity deducted
each use. In some instances, if a coupon rule 402 has run out (e.g.,
quantity has reached 0), the coupon rule 402 may remain in the coupon
rule database 116, such that the quantity may be increased at a later
date (e.g., such as by purchasing or qualifying for additional uses of
the coupon, recharging of a gift card, etc.).

Modified Transaction Coupon Rule Processing Flow

[0048] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a method for modifying a financial
transaction based on at least one coupon rule in accordance with
exemplary embodiments. In step 502, the customer 102 may initiate a
financial payment card transaction (e.g., using the payment card 120)
with the merchant 106. In some embodiments, the customer 102 may initiate
the transaction at a physical location of the merchant 106 (e.g., at the
merchant POS 118). In other embodiments, the customer 102 may initiate
the transaction from a remote location (e.g., using the network 122).

[0049] In step 504, the merchant 104 may identify transaction details
associated with the financial transaction. The merchant 104 may, in step
506, submit an authorization request to the financial transaction
processing server 112. The authorization request may include at least a
consumer identifier (e.g., the consumer identifier 404), a merchant
identifier (e.g., the merchant identifier 406), and a transaction amount.
In one embodiment, the authorization request may further include at least
one product identifier (e.g., the product identifier 408). In step 508,
the financial transaction processing server 112 may receive the
authorization request details. In step 510, the financial transaction
processing server 112 may identify at least one coupon rule 402 in the
coupon rule database 116 based on the information included authorization
request. For example, the financial transaction processing server 112 may
identify at least one coupon rule 402 where the associated consumer
identifier 404 corresponds to the consumer identifier included in the
authorization request and where the associated merchant identifier 406
corresponds to the merchant identifier included in the authorization
request. In some embodiments, if a coupon rule 402 in the coupon rule
database 116 includes additional requirements (e.g., for specific
products, transaction amounts, etc.), the financial transaction
processing server 112 may identify (e.g., or request from the merchant
104) additional details included in the authorization request to further
identify if the coupon rule 402 may be applied to the financial
transaction.

[0050] In step 512, the financial transaction processing server 112 may
modify the financial transaction based on the at least one coupon rule
402. Modifying the financial transaction may include at least modifying
the transaction amount based on the amount modifier (e.g., the amount
modifier 410). For example, the financial transaction may be discounted
by the amount modifier 410 (e.g., $5 off, 10% off, etc.). Other methods
for modifying the transaction (e.g., based on different coupon rule
implementations) will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant
art. In step 514, the financial transaction processing server 112 may
process the financial transaction (e.g., for the modified transaction
amount) and may transmit a response to the authorization request to the
merchant 104. In one embodiment, the response to the authorization
request may be formatted in the ISO 8583 standard.

[0051] In step 516, the merchant 104 may receive the authorization
response and, in step 518, may finalize the financial transaction
accordingly. For example, if the transaction was denied, the merchant 104
may notify the customer 102 and may request alternative payment and/or
cancel the transaction. If the transaction was approved, the merchant 104
may accept the payment for the transaction and may deliver the product to
the customer 102.

[0052] In step 520, the merchant 104 may transmit coupon rule details to
the customer 102. In some embodiments, transmitting the coupon rule
details may be performed by the financial transaction processing server
112. In step 522, the customer 102 may receive the coupon rule details,
which may be displayed to and/or viewed by the customer 102. The coupon
rule details may include a summary of the coupon rules applied to the
financial transaction, such as which coupons were applied, respective
requirements and resulting discounts for each one, quantity of the
respective coupon remaining, value of the respective coupon remaining,
new coupons obtained from the purchase, etc.

Credit Transaction Coupon Rule Processing Flow

[0053] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a method for processing a financial
transaction and issuing a subsequent credit based on at least one coupon
rule in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

[0054] In step 602, the customer 102 may initiate a financial payment card
transaction (e.g., using the payment card 120) with the merchant 106. In
some embodiments, the customer 102 may initiate the transaction at a
physical location of the merchant 106 (e.g., at the merchant POS 118). In
other embodiments, the customer 102 may initiate the transaction from a
remote location (e.g., using the network 122).

[0055] In step 604, the merchant 104 may identify transaction details
associated with the financial transaction. The merchant 104 may, in step
606, submit an authorization request to the financial transaction
processing server 112. The authorization request may include at least a
consumer identifier (e.g., the consumer identifier 404), a merchant
identifier (e.g., the merchant identifier 406), and a transaction amount.
In one embodiment, the authorization request may further include at least
one product identifier (e.g., the product identifier 408).

[0056] In step 608, the financial transaction processing server 112 may
receive the authorization request details. In step 610, the financial
transaction processing server 112 may identify at least one coupon rule
402 in the coupon rule database 116 based on the information included
authorization request. For example, the financial transaction processing
server 112 may identify at least one coupon rule 402 where the associated
consumer identifier 404 corresponds to the consumer identifier included
in the authorization request and where the associated merchant identifier
406 corresponds to the merchant identifier included in the authorization
request. In some embodiments, if a coupon rule 402 in the coupon rule
database 116 includes additional requirements (e.g., for specific
products, transaction amounts, etc.), the financial transaction
processing server 112 may identify (e.g., or request from the merchant
104) additional details included in the authorization request to further
identify if the coupon rule 402 may be applied to the financial
transaction.

[0057] In step 612, the financial transaction processing server 112 may
transmit a response to the authorization request to the merchant 104. In
one embodiment, the response to the authorization request may be
formatted in the ISO 8583 standard. In step 614, the merchant 104 may
receive the authorization response and, in step 622, may finalize the
transaction accordingly. For example, if the transaction was denied, the
merchant 104 may notify the customer 102 and may request alternative
payment and/or cancel the transaction. If the transaction was approved,
the merchant 104 may accept the payment for the transaction and may
deliver the product to the customer 102.

[0058] In step 616, the financial transaction processing server 112 may
issue a credit transaction based on the at least one coupon rule 402
where the amount of the credit is based on the amount modifier (e.g., the
amount modifier 410). The credit transaction may be a credit that is
applied to a financial account associated with the customer 102 (e.g.,
and stored in the account database 114), a refund that is issued on the
payment card 120, or other types of transactions that will be apparent to
persons having skill in the relevant art and are suitable for performing
the functions as disclosed herein.

[0059] In step 618, the financial transaction processing server 112 may
notify the customer 102 of the credit, which may be received by the
customer 102 in step 620. Methods of notifying the customer 102 will be
apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art and may include
e-mail, short message service (SMS) message, telephone call, push
notification on a mobile device, a combination thereof, etc. In one
embodiment, the customer 102 may elect a preferred method of
notification.

[0060] In step 624, the merchant 104 may transmit coupon rule details to
the customer 102. In some embodiments, transmitting the coupon rule
details may be performed by the financial transaction processing server
112. In step 626, the customer 102 may receive the coupon rule details,
which may be displayed to and/or viewed by the customer 102. The coupon
rule details may include a summary of the coupon rules applied to the
financial transaction, such as which coupons were applied, respective
requirements and resulting discounts for each one, quantity of the
respective coupon remaining, value of the respective coupon remaining,
new coupons obtained from the purchase, etc.

Server Architecture

[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system 700 in which embodiments of
the present disclosure, or portions thereof, may be implemented as
computer-readable code. For example, the financial transaction processing
server 112, merchant POS 118, or portions of the acquirer 106 or issuer
108, of FIG. 1 may be implemented in the computer system 700 using
hardware, software, firmware, non-transitory computer readable media
having instructions stored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be
implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems.
Hardware, software, or any combination thereof may embody modules and
components used to implement the methods of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and
8-9.

[0062] If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a
commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. A
person having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that embodiments
of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer
system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, computers linked or clustered with
distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computers that
may be embedded into virtually any device. For instance, at least one
processor device and a memory may be used to implement the above
described embodiments.

[0063] A processor device as discussed herein may be a single processor, a
plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processor devices may
have one or more processor "cores." The terms "computer program medium,"
"non-transitory computer readable medium," and "computer usable medium"
as discussed herein are used to generally refer to tangible media such as
a removable storage unit 718, a removable storage unit 722, and a hard
disk installed in hard disk drive 712.

[0064] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in
terms of this example computer system 700. After reading this
description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant
art how to implement the present disclosure using other computer systems
and/or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as a
sequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed in
parallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and with
program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or
multi-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order of
operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the
disclosed subject matter.

[0065] Processor device 704 may be a special purpose or a general purpose
processor device. The processor device 704 may be connected to a
communication infrastructure 706, such as a bus, message queue, network
(e.g., the network 122), multi-core message-passing scheme, etc. The
computer system 800 may also include a main memory 708 (e.g., random
access memory, read-only memory, etc.), and may also include a secondary
memory 710. The secondary memory 710 may include the hard disk drive 712
and a removable storage drive 714, such as a floppy disk drive, a
magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, etc.

[0066] The removable storage drive 714 may read from and/or write to the
removable storage unit 718 in a well-known manner. The removable storage
unit 718 may include a removable storage media that may be read by and
written to by the removable storage drive 714. For example, if the
removable storage drive 714 is a floppy disk drive, the removable storage
unit 718 may be a floppy disk. In one embodiment, the removable storage
unit 718 may be non-transitory computer readable recording media.

[0067] In some embodiments, the secondary memory 710 may include
alternative means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to
be loaded into the computer system 700, for example, the removable
storage unit 722 and an interface 720. Examples of such means may include
a program cartridge and cartridge interface (e.g., as found in video game
systems), a removable memory chip (e.g., EEPROM, PROM, etc.) and
associated socket, and other removable storage units 722 and interfaces
720 as will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

[0068] The computer system 700 may also include a communications interface
724. The communications interface 724 may be configured to allow software
and data to be transferred between the computer system 700 and external
devices. Exemplary communications interfaces 724 may include a modem, a
network interface (e.g., an Ethernet card), a communications port, a
PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via the
communications interface 724 may be in the form of signals, which may be
electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals as will be
apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art. The signals may
travel via a communications path 726, which may be configured to carry
the signals and may be implemented using wire, cable, fiber optics, a
phone line, a cellular phone link, a radio frequency link, etc.

[0069] Computer program medium and computer usable medium may refer to
memories, such as the main memory 708 and secondary memory 710, which may
be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.). These computer program
products may be means for providing software to the computer system 700.
Computer programs (e.g., computer control logic) may be stored in the
main memory 708 and/or the secondary memory 710. Computer programs may
also be received via the communications interface 724. Such computer
programs, when executed, may enable computer system 700 to implement the
present methods as discussed herein. In particular, the computer
programs, when executed, may enable processor device 704 to implement the
methods illustrated by FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and 8-9, as discussed
herein. Accordingly, such computer programs may represent controllers of
the computer system 700. Where the present disclosure is implemented
using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product
and loaded into the computer system 700 using the removable storage drive
714, interface 720, and hard disk drive 712, or communications interface
724.

First Exemplary Method For Applying Coupon Rules to a Financial
Transaction

[0071] In step 802, a plurality of coupon rules (e.g., coupon rule 402)
may be stored in a database (e.g., the coupon rule database 116), wherein
each coupon rule 402 of the plurality of coupon rules is associated with
a consumer (e.g., the customer 102) and a merchant (e.g., the merchant
104) and includes at least an amount modifier (e.g., the amount modifier
410) and a funding account number (e.g., the funding account 412). In one
embodiment, each coupon rule 402 may further include at least one product
identifier (e.g., the product identifier 408). In a further embodiment,
the at least one product identifier 408 may be at least one of: a
universal product code, a manufacturer part number, European article
number, serial number, and international standard book number.

[0072] In one embodiment, the amount modifier 410 may be a number or a
percentage. In an embodiment, the funding account 412 may correspond to a
financial account associated with the customer 102. In an alternative
embodiment, the funding account 412 may correspond to a financial account
associated with the merchant 104.

[0073] In step 804, an authorization request for a financial transaction
may be received by a receiving device (e.g., the receiving unit 302),
wherein the authorization request includes at least a customer identifier
(e.g., the customer identifier 404), a merchant identifier (e.g., the
merchant identifier 406), and a transaction amount. In one embodiment,
the authorization request is formatted under the International
Organization for Standardization ISO 8583 standard.

[0074] In step 806, at least one coupon rule 402 of the plurality of
coupon rules may be identified where the associated consumer corresponds
to the customer identifier 404 and the associated merchant corresponds to
the merchant identifier 406. In embodiments where each coupon rule 402
may include at least one product identifier 408, identifying at least one
coupon rule 402 may include identifying where the at least one product
identifier 408 corresponds to at least one product identification number
that may be included in the received authorization request.

[0075] In step 808, the financial transaction may be modified based on the
at least one coupon rule 402 wherein modifying the financial transaction
includes at least modifying the transaction amount based on the amount
modifier 410. In one embodiment, modifying the financial transaction may
further include splitting the financial transaction into a first
financial transaction for a first charge amount and a second financial
transaction for a second charge amount, wherein one of the first and
second charge amounts is the modified transaction amount.

[0076] In step 810, a reply to the authorization request may be
transmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., the transmitting unit 306),
the reply to the authorization request including at least the modified
transaction amount.

Second Exemplary Method For Applying Coupon Rules to a Financial
Transaction

[0078] In step 902, a plurality of coupon rules (e.g., coupon rule 402)
may be stored in a database (e.g., the coupon rule database 116), wherein
each coupon rule 402 of the plurality of coupon rules is associated with
a consumer (e.g., the customer 102) and a merchant (e.g., the merchant
104) and includes at least an amount modifier (e.g., the amount modifier
410) and a funding account number (e.g., the funding account 412). In one
embodiment, each coupon rule 402 may further include at least one product
identifier (e.g., the product identifier 408). In a further embodiment,
the at least one product identifier 408 may be at least one of: a
universal product code, a manufacturer part number, European article
number, serial number, and international standard book number.

[0079] In one embodiment, the amount modifier 410 may be a number or a
percentage. In an embodiment, the funding account 412 may correspond to a
financial account associated with the customer 102. In an alternative
embodiment, the funding account 412 may correspond to a financial account
associated with the merchant 104.

[0080] In step 904, an authorization request for a financial transaction
may be received by a receiving device (e.g., the receiving unit 302),
wherein the authorization request includes at least a customer identifier
(e.g., the customer identifier 404), a merchant identifier (e.g., the
merchant identifier 406), and a transaction amount. In one embodiment,
the authorization request is formatted under the International
Organization for Standardization ISO 8583 standard. In some embodiments,
the authorization request may include at least one product identification
number (e.g., corresponding to products for purchase in the financial
transaction).

[0081] In step 906, at least one coupon rule 402 of the plurality of
coupon rules may be identified where the associated consumer corresponds
to the customer identifier 404 and the associated merchant corresponds to
the merchant identifier 406. In embodiments where each coupon rule 402
may include at least one product identifier 408, identifying at least one
coupon rule 402 may include identifying where the at least one product
identifier 408 corresponds to at least one product identification number
that may be included in the received authorization request.

[0082] In step 908, a reply to the authorization request may be
transmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., the transmitting unit 306),
the reply to the authorization request including at least the modified
transaction amount. In one embodiment, the reply to the authorization
request may be formatted pursuant to the ISO 8583 standard. In step 910,
a credit may be issued to an account associated with the customer 102
based on the at least one coupon rule 402, wherein the credit is for a
credit amount based on at least the amount modifier 410.

[0083] Techniques consistent with the present disclosure provide, among
other features, systems and methods for applying coupon rules to a
financial transaction. While various exemplary embodiments of the
disclosed system and method have been described above it should be
understood that they have been presented for purposes of example only,
not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the disclosure
to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the
disclosure, without departing from the breadth or scope.